Associated organisational unit

Abstract

This discussion considers potential future developments in the design and making of our material goods so that they may become not only more consistent with the social and environmental aspects of sustainability, but also more enduring and personally meaningful elements of our culture. Four disparate artifacts are examined that respectively represent cultural meaning, utilitarian meaning, an unsuccessful combination of the two, and finally a successful integration. This leads to a set of conclusions that are relevant to the design, production, and use of contemporary products, and is particularly relevant to the design and production of the myriad short-lived electronic goods that are proving so problematic in their disposal. An alternative approach is considered that is characterized here as an "Endure and Evolve" scenario.